Vieux farka toure / Zeep, St George's Bristol, Bristol
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.On paper, the Heatwave Tour looks an exhilarating world music double-header, combining the Anglo-Brazilian retro-funksters Zeep, headed by Nina Miranda and Chris Franck (the latter of chill-out anthem "Underwater Love" fame, under the moniker Smoke City), and Vieux Farka Touré's own brand of Afro-funk, which he calls koroboro rock. But it doesn't really work.
In his self-titled debut album, the 26-year-old Farka Touré – son of the Malian guitar great Ali Farka Touré – has produced a striking update on the Saharan desert blues that his double Grammy-winning father brought to a worldwide audience.
It becomes even more evident on his first British tour that, while not abandoning them, Farka Touré is veering away from traditional elements. He's cast off the kora, calabash, djembe, njarka and shaker that appear on his album in favour of an electric rock bass, two guitars, congas and drums line-up, with just a touch of raspy ngoni (plucked lute) from his ebullient guitar partner, Mama Sissoko.
After a poor start from Zeep – whose cod-funk soup is bland and featureless, with off-key vocals and too many musicians spoiling the broth – a visibly nervous Farka Touré takes to the stage, apologising for his bad English. Luckily, many in the audience profess to know French, so he tries that instead.
It turns out there's no need to speak at all, as the lyrical guitars speak ravishing volumes. Farka Touré and Sissoko's guitar duelling and jousting reaches ecstatic heights, with the duo playing notes I didn't know existed, alongside complex, incredibly adept drumming from Timothy R Keiper.
Throughout, the golden-robed Farka Touré is grace incarnate, treating the two groups as one happy family. His beaming smile shows no trace of a grimace, despite some walk-outs from the stalls, and having to implore the seated audience to get up and dance. The real trouble is Zeep, who end up trampling all over Farka Touré's band in the finale, with Franck's caterwauling guitar solo going on so long it's painful.
Touring to 25 November (www.heatwave.org.uk)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments